Exploration Crochet

The Great Crochet Stitch Debate: The Council of Brussels | S2Ep13 (4126 Edition)

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Did crochet almost get standardized in 1911? Discover the “Council of Brussels” and why U.S. vs U.K. stitch terms split and confuse crocheters to this day.

In this episode of Exploration Crochet, we dive into the forgotten story of a 1911 international effort to standardize crochet terminology. Known as the Council of Brussels, this gathering of pattern writers, teachers, and textile thinkers set out to unify how crochet stitches were named across countries.

But what started as a push for clarity quickly unraveled into debate—specifically over one deceptively simple question: should a stitch be named for how it looks… or how it’s made?

LINKS |

4126Edition-Brussels.com

ExplorationCrochet.com

Sound Attribution |

YOH Tune | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Alexander's Ragtime Band - Early Intermediate Piano Solo

Who Made the Rules? The Craft Yarn Council and Modern Crochet | S2Ep12

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Who made the rules that help modern crochet make sense? In this episode of Exploration Crochet, ReRe explores the history of the Craft Yarn Council of America and its role in shaping modern crochet. Founded in 1981, the CYC was created by the yarn industry to standardize communication, improve education, and support the growing yarn-craft market. The episode explains how the Council influenced crochet through the Standard Yarn Weight System, hook and label conventions, and the wider use of standardized crochet chart symbols. It also examines the CYC’s role in teaching, promotion, and industry support, including its connection to the Crochet Guild of America and Warm Up America! This episode reveals how one industry organization helped make crochet easier to publish, teach, learn, and understand across modern American craft culture.

LINKS |

*FREE* Reading Basic Crochet Charts Cheat Sheet | https://yarnoverhook.com/crochet-stitches

Craft Yarn Council | craftyarncouncil.com

Crochet Guild of America | crochet.org

SOUND ATTRIBUTION |

YOH Tune | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Jazz Lounge Elevator Music by Mykola Odnoroh - | https://pixabay.com/users/ikoliks_aj-48415707/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=332339

Irish Crochet Lace: History, Craft, Survival

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Explore the fascinating history, craft, cultural significance, and technical brilliance of Irish Crochet Lace - one of the most beautiful and misunderstood traditions in crochet history. Host ReRe breaks down the unique construction method of separate motifs joined by intricate mesh. The episode traces how Irish crochet spread through organized teaching, print culture, women’s labor, and regional traditions. We also delve into the influence of pioneers like Nano Nagle and Mlle. Riego de la Blanchardière, as well as the world of regional and family motifs. Learn why Irish Crochet is considered true textile engineering and a living record of Irish resilience.

LINKS |

CrochetPodcast.com | Crochet People pt. 1: Mademoiselle Eleonore Riego de la Branchardière

Ulster Folk Museum | https://www.ulsterfolkmuseum.org/stories/lacemaking

Lacis Museum of Lac and Textiles | Irish Crochet Lace: 150 Years of a Tradition

Sound Attribution |

YOH Tune | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

The Girl from Ireland - https://pixabay.com/music/folk-the-girl-from-ireland-177450/

Crochet and Cotton: The Relationship That Helped Define the Craft | S2 Ep10

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Exploration Crochet, ReRe examines the long and influential relationship between crochet and cotton, showing how cotton helped define the craft’s visual identity, accessibility, and historical reach. The episode explores why cotton worked so well for crochet, especially in lace, thread work, and household textiles. ReRe also highlights the importance of Irish crochet, and the chemical revolution of mercerization. And finally, the episode addresses the complex ethics of the global cotton trade and its impact on the craft's accessibility including the ethical complexities that still follow the fiber choice today.

Sound Attribution |

YOH Tune | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Brahms: String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat Major Op. 18 4th Movement

March Magic: The History of National Crochet Month | S2 Ep9

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In March Magic: The History of National Crochet Month, ReRe explores the origins and meaning of National Crochet Month through the lens of crochet history, community, and cultural visibility. The episode explains how National Crochet Month developed from National Crochet Week and why March became an important time for crochet education, advocacy, and public celebration. ReRe breaks down what National Crochet Month is and is not, including common myths about whether there is one “right” way to celebrate or whether the month is only about shopping and promotions. The episode also highlights how crocheters celebrate in real life through teaching, crochet-a-longs, guild events, charity makes, and public advocacy for crochet as a technical and artistic craft. This episode offers a thoughtful, empowering look at National Crochet Month as both a celebration and a living historical record of modern crochet culture.

LINKS |

National Crochet Month | https://nationalcrochetmonth.com

2026 New Year, New Blanket Charity CAL | https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPHDi4h-nGwvt0K0JgbrvgmPrfs1j6U_4

Exploration Crochet Substack | ExplorationCrochet.com

SOUND ATTRIBUTION |

YOH Tune | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Music by Viacheslav Starostin | https://pixabay.com/users/viacheslavstarostin-50153119/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=382067

The Rise of the LYS: Crochet’s Third Place | S2 Ep8

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Explore the cultural and economic history of the Local Yarn Shop (LYS) in this episode of Exploration Crochet. Host ReRe traces the evolution of yarn retail from 19th-century general stores to modern-day community "sanctuaries." Learn about historical landmarks like Heindselman’s and School Products NYC while discovering how the 1970s craft revival reshaped our hobby. Today, the crochet-friendly LYS functions as a vital “Third Place,” preserving fiber literacy, mentorship, and intergenerational craft traditions. Discover why supporting your local shop is an essential part of the future of the crochet community.

If crochet is a chain of events…the yarn shop should be one of its strongest links.

Colossal Yarn Crawl of 2026 | crochetyarncrawl.com

Shop links |

Yarn Shoppe Denver | https://yarnshoppedenver.com/

Fibre Space | https://fibrespace.com/

Yarning Fiber Arts | https://yarningfiberarts.com/

Gauge Yarn | https://www.gaugeyarn.com/

World Yarns | https://worldyarns.com/

The Quilted Skein | https://thequiltedskein.com/

Scout & Skein | https://scoutandskein.com/

The Quarter Stitch | https://www.quarterstitch.com/

Sound Attribution |

YOH Tune | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Music by Music Word – Spring | https://pixabay.com/users/musicword-39191707/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=193127

From Bones to Burls: The Crochet Hook Chronicles

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

It’s never "just a hook." In this episode, we dive deep into the material science and global chaos of the crochet hook’s evolution. We explore how a simple notched stick transformed into a $500 luxury item. Crochet hooks are design history in your hand, shaped by materials science, industrial manufacturing, and maker culture. In this episode of Exploration Crochet, ReRe traces hook evolution to innovations that solved the “spinning” problem and you’ll hear how hook sizing became a global comedy routine - with millimeters becoming the most reliable modern anchor. The story then jumps to the early 20th century, when crochet shifted from lace to garments and aluminum became the lightweight “space-age” hook material for bigger yarns. Rounding out the episode, we'll take a look at WWII “blackout” hooks, modern ergonomic grips, and today’s luxury hook culture.

Links |

Conversion Chart: https://explorationcrochet.com/p/yarn-weight-conversion-chart

Sound Attribution |

YOH Tune | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Steel Drums 90bpm Key of A.mp3 by AjubaMusic -- https://freesound.org/s/320806/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Mosaic Crochet: Making Simple Look Stunning | S2 Ep6

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Mosaic crochet is one of modern crochet’s most "how-is-that-possible" looks. Mosaic is a bold, graphic colorwork technique that seems impossibly complex, yet is built on a simple rule: one color per row.

In this episode of Exploration Crochet, ReRe traces mosaic’s story from 1970s mosaic knitting into crochet’s evolving toolkit. We’ll highlight the contributions of crochet legend Lily Chin and modern designer Tinna Thórudóttir Thorvaldar. You’ll learn how it moved from experimentation to published instruction, then exploded in popularity through charts, tutorials, and crochet-alongs in the 2010s.

We’ll break down the two main types—Inset mosaic (often lighter with fewer ends) and Overlay mosaic (crisp, structured, and famously end-heavy). And lastly, explore why these methods are the ultimate high-payoff project for the modern maker.

Links |

Tinna Thorudottir Thorvaldar | https://www.youtube.com/@TinnaThorudottirThorvaldar

Sound Attribution |

YOH Tune | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Music by ArtManzh https://pixabay.com/users/artmanzh-3855363/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=330440

George Washington Carver - Crocheter: The "Black Leonardo" | S2 Ep5

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Discover the hidden history of George Washington Carver’s life as a prolific fiber artist and crocheter. While famous for his agricultural breakthroughs at Tuskegee University, Carver was a master of domestic arts who dyed his own threads using local Alabama clay and plant life. This episode of Exploration Crochet explores how his artistic training at Simpson College informed his world-renowned scientific career. We examine archival evidence, including rare 1937 footage of Carver crocheting, to reveal a man whose curiosity had no boundaries. Join ReRe to see why TIME magazine dubbed Carver the "Black Leonardo".

Edgar A Guest – Equipment excerpt –

“Courage must come from the soul within

The man must furnish the will to win.

So figure it out for yourself, my lad

You were born with all that the great have had.

With your equipment they all began

Get hold of yourself and say “I can””

Crochet Sampler: Tuskegee - https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Carvers-crochet-samples-Tuskegee-Institute-National-Historic-Site-Image-by-Curtis_fig3_283353138

TIME 1941 – “Black Leonardo” https://time.com/archive/6603680/art-black-leonardo/

Color film of Professor Carver - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_yn6Qz81Y8&t=1s

The Henry Ford Museum: What if an Artist Becomes a Scientist - https://www.thehenryford.org/explore/stories-of-innovation/what-if/george-washington-carver

GWC Recites “Equipment” - https://archive.tuskegee.edu/repository/digital-collection/audio-collections/george-washington-carver/george-washington-carver-recites-poem-1942/

PBS – George Washington Carver: An Uncommon Life - https://klru.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/booker-t-washington-invites-carver-tuskegee-video/george-washington-carver-an-uncommon-life/

Sound Attributions |

YOH Tune | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Duke Ellington - Black and Tan Fantasy (1927)

Crochet People pt 1: Mlle. Eleonore Riego de la Branchardière | S2 Ep4

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this kickoff episode of Crochet: A Chain of Events — The People, ReRe introduces the Victorian-era publisher and pattern powerhouse Mlle. Eleonore Riego de la Branchardière, one of the earliest figures to make crochet reproducible at scale. We explore how crochet spread globally not just because it was clever, but because it became standardized, teachable, publishable, and commercially distributed. We look at how Riego treated patterns as professional intellectual property, protecting her works through mechanisms like Stationers’ Hall registration and “right of translation” notices.

We unpack her public-facing brand—from Great Exhibition prestige and “registered designs” to royal appointment marketing, and explore her creative range from raised floral “rose” motifs to geometric star designs and “tricot” (early Tunisian/afghan-style) warmth for winter wear, and finally how she marketed "imitation lace" to democratize luxury for the middle class.

We will ground the story in historical truth: the deepest roots of crochet belong to innovators who were anonymous, mostly working-class women sharing knowledge across generations. Named figures like Riego rise in the record because their work was printed, preserved, and funded—so this episode holds both truths at once: crochet is collective intelligence, and Riego helped make that intelligence portable.

LINKS |

Books by Riego de la Branchardière, Eléonore (6): Project Gutenburg - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/33346

The Crochet Book Archive (17): The Crochet Book was a series of numbered books on crochet by Eléonore Riego de la Branchardière - https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/serial?id=crochetriego

SOUND ATTRIBUTION |

YOH Tune | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Music by Echo Gate https://pixabay.com/users/echogatestudios-52624047/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=450676 – Pixabay

Crochet Adjustable: The Evolution of Starting pt.2 | S2 Ep3

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In Exploration Crochet S2 Ep3, ReRe explores the technical and cultural history of the adjustable ring, also known as the magic ring or magic circle. This episode explains what the technique truly is—a starting method built from a controlled slip-loop foundation—and why it likely emerged organically rather than being invented by one person. ReRe traces the method from Japanese chart culture (including the わ / wa ring symbol) through the amigurumi boom, where eliminating the center gap solved the “stuffing leak” problem in cute crochet toys. You’ll hear how YouTube, Ravelry, and early internet crafting helped the technique go global, and why the West rebranded it “magic” around 2008—because naming drives adoption. We explore why the "Thread Era" favored chain starts and how modern worsted yarns made the magic circle a global game-changer. ReRe also covers common magic ring mistakes, the rule for durability (it’s not a knot—weave the tail securely), the double magic ring, and when a classic chain ring still wins.

Links |

Colossal Crochet Yarn Crawl of 2026 info + where to submit shops | https://yarnoverhook.com/crochet-yarn-crawl/
Listen to Part 1: Crochet Unchained: The Evolution of Starting | CrochetPodcast.com
Learn How to Start a Magic Ring | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2K0XLwc3XI
Share your story: @ExplorationCrochet - #MRM (Magic Ring Magic or Magic Ring Misery)

Sound Attribution |

YOH Tune | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html
Remix of 2684__TexasMusicForge__Dandelion.wav by Timbre -- https://freesound.org/s/94564/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0. Dandelion.mp3 by TexasMusicForge -- https://freesound.org/s/2684/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Crochet Unchained: The Evolution of Starting | S2 Ep2

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Exploration Crochet, ReRe kicks off a new deep-dive series on crochet innovations by tackling the craft’s most universal—and frustrating—beginning. We’ll explore the "Achilles' Heel" of crochet: the starting chain. This episode of Exploration Crochet traces the evolution of the starting chain and the rise of chainless foundation stitches like FSC and FDC. Host ReRe explores why the starting chain "won" the historical format war and why it took over 150 years to find a better alternative. We highlight the work of technical maverick Bill Elmore and designer Doris Chan, who fought editorial resistance to modernize pattern publishing. Learn why the transition to foundation stitches revolutionized garment making and how you can use 200 years of technical development in your next project…without “canceling” the classic chain. So, let’s dive into Crochet Unchained: The Evolution of Starting.

Foundation Crochet Links |

FSC - https://youtu.be/WNkjb7QMcWk?si=u_0wy_0JrjfHv3m6

FHDC - https://youtu.be/fFKdw7_reM8?si=EhU31i4WjKaEH6qz

FDC - https://youtu.be/NSNSrGqEW7g?si=rmWQQ3V8b_lkJ-e_

FTC - https://youtu.be/MlCQIB17BE0?si=iFp9l_AsaUmB1wB-

Sound Attributions |

https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Synthesizer Echo Plinks 1 by ani_music -- https://freesound.org/s/165317/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Synthesizer Echo Plinks 2 by ani_music -- https://freesound.org/s/165316/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Hi, I'm ReRe and I'm a Crocheter | S2 Ep1

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In the Season 2 premiere of Exploration Crochet, ReRe officially introduces herself with a crochet creator Q&A inspired by Rachel from The Faded Wildflower Crochet YouTube channel. ReRe shares how she learned to crochet at 8 or 9 years old—three stitches, one spirally hair tie, and a lifelong love of making. You’ll hear why ReRe refuses to pick a single “favorite thing” to crochet (because the answer is basically… yes), what yarn she’d choose if “forever” means a zombie-apocalypse-level forever, and the one project she can’t see herself ever starting, let alone finishing.

ReRe also talks about where her inspiration really comes from—history, math, science, stories, events, pop culture, and especially the 5 W’s. She shares a favorite recent make as well as her thoughts on the best and worst things about crochet - they are the same.

Plus, an important community call: the Yarn Over Hook Network is building The Colossal Crochet Yarn Crawl of 2026, and ReRe is collecting crochet-friendly local yarn shops nationwide for a future, passport-style event complete with patterns, goodies, and yarn joy—because crocheters belong everywhere.

Links mentioned |

Rachel - The Faded Wildflower Crochet (Q&A inspiration) | https://youtu.be/8Iorqsy_Djo
Free pattern link | Curly Cue Tie | https://tinyurl.com/curlycuetie
Colossal Crochet Yarn Crawl of 2026 info + where to submit shops | https://yarnoverhook.com/crochet-yarn-crawl/

Sound Attribution |

https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html
Jazz Fusion Bossa Nova Vibe by NomisYlad -- https://freesound.org/s/822784/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Game of Wool: Everything Isn't For Everybody | Ep. 13

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Exploration Crochet, host ReRe takes a thoughtful look at the first four episodes of Game of Wool: Finding Britain’s Best Knitter, exploring what the show gets right and wrong about knitting, crochet, and craft culture on TV. Speaking as a crocheter-who-has-knit, a non-Brit, and a non–reality-show person, she unpacks the title, the “new generation of knitters” tagline, and the way crochet is folded under “knitting.” ReRe walks listeners through each challenge—highlighting where crochet shines and where the format distorts how these crafts actually work. She also looks at the production side: extreme time limits, yarn choices, editing tricks, casting decisions, and the lack of clarity about compensation and intellectual property rights for contestant designs. Throughout, she balances critique with appreciation, celebrating the imagination and innovation of the makers while reminding listeners that “everything isn’t for everybody”.

Links |

Episode 1 | https://youtu.be/k4FokKLplvY

Episode 2 | https://youtu.be/dZD40mA-rMg

Episode 3 | https://youtu.be/yfWwzxBoPto

Episode 4 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y1Ai4Nn1dM

Exploration Crochet | https://explorationcrochet.com

BBC4 Presser | https://www.channel4.com/press/news/more4-cast-new-competitive-knitting-series-game-wool

Channel 4 Applicant Request | https://www.channel4.com/4viewers/takepart/game-of-wool

Stuart | The Woolpatch | https://www.youtube.com/@TheWoolpatch

Janie Crow | https://www.janiecrow.com/

Shetland Organization of Knitters |

https://explorationcrochet.com/p/the-game-of-wool-wk1-shetland-organization

Prudence Mapstone: Scrumble | https://www.knotjustknitting.com/freeform/

Sound Attribution |

https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Morphagene Reel - Glockenspiel Rubber Mallet.wav by radiohummingbird --

https://freesound.org/s/635381/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Twisted Sisters: S, Z, and Your Crochet Sanity | Ep. 12

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In “Twisted Sisters: S, Z, and Your Crochet Sanity,” ReRe unpacks the hidden world of S and Z twist and why it almost never appears on the label. You’ll learn how S and Z twist developed through industrial spinning, why most commercial yarns are still S-twist by default, and how that history accidentally left crocheters out of the design conversation. ReRe explains how twist direction interacts differently with right-handed and left-handed crochet, why some yarns split, fuzz, and “fight back,” and how different fibers—wool, cotton, acrylic, and shiny plant-based yarns—behave under each twist. The episode also explores why more crochet influencers haven’t launched Z-twist lines, touching on mills, minimums, risk, and discontinued favorites. By the end, you’ll know how to spot S or Z in seconds, match twist to your hands and project, and stop blaming your tension when it might actually be physics messing with your crochet sanity.

SOUND ATTRIBUTION

https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

https://pixabay.com/users/brolefilmer-24731381/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=12315

https://pixabay.com/users/tunetank-50201703/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=348895

Happy Music.wav by monkeyman535 -- https://freesound.org/s/326639/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

https://pixabay.com/users/lkoliks-48415707/? utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=419356

Weight A Minute: An Exploration of Yarn Weights and Whys | Ep. 11

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

“Weight a Minute: An Exploration of Yarn Weights and Whys” demystifies yarn weight

systems for crocheters, connecting industrial terms like tex, denier, and Nm to

everyday labels like DK, Worsted, and Bulky. ReRe explains why yarn labels

differ across countries, how to use WPI and swatching for smart yarn

substitution, and shares a simple five-step checklist so your projects keep

their intended fit and drape. Listeners also get access to a free Yarn Weight

Conversion Sheet PDF to make shopping and stash-diving easier.

Yarn Weight Conversion Chart - https://explorationcrochet.com/p/yarn-weight-conversion-chart

Craft Yarn Council - https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/aboutcyca.html

Sound Attribution:

https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

telephone.wav by iut_Paris8 -- https://freesound.org/s/570274/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Number Song Music https://pixabay.com/users/matthewmikemusic-25386219/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=233460

Number, 12 Times https://pixabay.com/users/aicanvas-5347436/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=300089

This Old Man https://pixabay.com/users/matthewmikemusic-25386219/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=373880

Acrylic Yarn: Superhero or Super Villain? | Ep. 10

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 10 of Exploration Crochet asks: Acrylic yarn—superhero or super villain? ReRe traces acrylic’s origin from 1940s lab fiber (polyacrylonitrile/PAN) to 1950s brands like Orlon®, explaining how it’s spun, crimped, and dope-dyed for bright, colorfast, machine-washable results. You’ll learn where acrylic shines—afghans, granny-square throws, amigurumi, donation and outdoor projects—and where to rethink (high-heat kitchen use, hot-climate garments). The episode balances benefits (affordable, warmth without weight, reliable dye lots) with tradeoffs (pilling in budget grades, thermoplastic heat sensitivity, microfiber shedding) plus practical blocking and laundry tips. Verdict: acrylic isn’t hero or villain—it’s a fit-for-purpose tool that democratized cozy color.

The Ties That Bind: Fiber Arts, Folklore, and Magic | Ep. 9

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Step into the flickering candlelight of Exploration Crochet for “The Ties That Bind — Fiber Arts, Folklore, and Magic.” In this Halloween special, host ReRe unravels the myths and mysteries spun through history’s threads — from Celtic knots and Slavic storm-binding to the Greek Fates, the Norse Norns, and the Navajo Spider Woman. Discover how cultures across centuries believed yarn, string, and fabric could shape fate, summon protection, or seal a promise. Then watch that legacy come alive in modern crochet, where each loop becomes an act of creativity, connection, and quiet courage. With stories of witch’s ladders, red-string lovers, and the tapestry from Brave, this episode celebrates the universal truth behind every stitch: we create the world together, one loop at a time.

Check out the curated reading list: The Ties That Bind: Fiber Arts, Folklore, & Magic

sound attribution

Music Box For Suspenseful Scenes by ViraMiller --https://freesound.org/s/742115/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Irish Field Men Female Choir Drone Myst Fantasy Atmo Mastered.wav by szegvari -- https://freesound.org/s/619179/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Half-speed! Airy wind chimes quintet at Hunter's Tor, Teign Gorge by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/700669/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

NEPTUN-Solo-07 Tibetan Singing Bowl by the_very_Real_Horst -- https://freesound.org/s/240934/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Crochet Hooks, Passports, Yarn Crawls | Ep. 8

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Exploration Crochet, ReRe takes listeners on a

fiber-filled road trip through the world of Yarn Crawls —

community-driven events where crafters visit multiple local yarn shops armed

with hooks, passports, and plenty of enthusiasm. From the origins of the crawl

tradition to the first official LYS tours in the late 2000s, we explore how

these creative adventures connect makers and strengthen the fiber community.

Along the way, ReRe highlights global yarn crawls from the U.S. to South

America, where shop-hopping and skein-squishing turn travel into craft

celebration. You’ll learn what makes a successful crawl — from prizes and

passports to trunk shows, demos, and charity tie-ins — and get practical tips

for first-time crawlers. At its heart, this episode reminds us that every yarn

crawl is about connection, creativity, and the shared joy of discovering fiber

together.

Yarn Over Hook Crochet Yarn Crawl 2026 | https://yarnoverhook.com/crochet-yarn-crawl/

SOUND ATTRIBUTION:

https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Golden Era of Silent Film - Music by https://pixabay.com/users/pilot2kid-23069762/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=336699

Funny Happy Melody - Music by https://pixabay.com/users/pilot2kid-23069762/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=346934

Spring in Your Step - Music by https://pixabay.com/users/grumpynora-14374548/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=352055

Creepy Trip – Gypsy Jazz - Music by https://pixabay.com/users/artmanzh-3855363/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=330441

record scratch.wav by luffy -- https://freesound.org/s/3536/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Twisted Tales: Frogging Crochet Stereotypes | Ep. 7

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In Twisted Tales: Frogging Crochet Stereotypes, host ReRe unravels the myths that have long tangled around crochet and the people who practice it. From the outdated “grandma’s hobby” image to gender stereotypes, and undervaluing of handmade work - this episode challenges every threadbare assumption. Listeners will hear how crochet bridges generations, cultures, and creative disciplines while resisting labels that try to box it in. Warm, witty, and enlightening, this episode redefines what it means to be part of the global crochet community.

Sound Attribution:

https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Funny Background Music Orchestra (Loop) by Migfus20 -- https://freesound.org/s/561390/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Funny music (orchestra) .wav by Darkash28 -- https://freesound.org/s/529967/ --License: Creative Commons 0

Numskull by Beetlemuse -- https://freesound.org/s/650939/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Walking LA by vollkornbrot -- https://freesound.org/s/371976/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Loops, Lace, and Funnel Cakes: Crochet Goes to the Fair | Ep.6

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Step right up friends, ReRe is taking you on a stroll through the exhibition halls where crochet has shined for more than 170 years. From the lace collars of the 1850s to the amigurumi dragons of today, fairs have showcased crochet’s blend of precision, creativity, and heart.

Along the way, you’ll hear how 4-H and Girl Scouts kept the craft alive for young makers, how yarn companies and magazines turned everyday crocheters into national prizewinners, and how modern fairs celebrate originality as much as skill.

With stops at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and the 2025 LA County Fair, this episode stitches together a story of evolution, artistry, and community pride. Grab your fair pass and make room for funnel cake—it’s time to celebrate crochet’s long love affair with the fair.

Accompanying Blog | https://yarnoverhook.com/loops-lace-funnel-cakes/

To see Alexis Kavro's fair entries check out REMY A CRAFTY HEDGEHOG - https://www.remyacraftyhedgehog.com/pastexhibitions

Sound Attributions |

CAMPTOWN RACES (Stephen Foster) Camptown Races - Freedom Trail Studio -youtube.com/audiolibrary/music

THE ENTERTAINER (SCOTT JOPLIN) royalty free Music produced by Giorgio Di Campo for @FreeSound Music http://freesoundmusic.eu

Farming Game Theme by TheLastOneOnEarth -- https://freesound.org/s/800496/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Sunshine Humdrum by Markusheadroom -- https://freesound.org/s/796442/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Crochet Through Time: The New Kid on the Block | Ep. 5

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

At just over 200 years old crochet, the “new kid” of thread crafts, learned from its elders—especially the rustic bridge of Shepherd’s Knitting—and stepped into its own in the early 1800s. It leapt from tambour embroidery’s on-fabric chains to free-loop fabric you could build anywhere with just a hook and yarn. In famine-era Ireland, lacework became both livelihood and art, then traveled with immigrants to homes across the Americas and beyond.

Over time it settled beside quilting and knitting, shaping heirlooms, wardrobes, and community projects across classes and cultures. The 1960s–70s revived it in riotous color with Granny Squares, while Japan reimagined it as amigurumi. Today, online stitch-alongs, tutorials, and pattern marketplaces keep the circle global and always open. Crochet thrives because it’s accessible, adaptable, and community-driven—one hook, one strand, endless ways to belong.

Accompanying blog | https://yarnoverhook.com/humanitys-tale-of-loops-knots-thread/

SOUND ATTRIBUTION:

Music Box - J. S. Bach - Menuet by Flying_Deer_Fx --https://freesound.org/s/369404/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Irish Whistle.mp3 by nigelnix --https://freesound.org/s/130108/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Sci-Fi Gateway by Bachsambora --https://freesound.org/s/752034/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

SunixMuz - Bravery (Opening, trailer, epic music, Free CCBY) by SunixMuz --https://freesound.org/s/767839/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

It's Hip to be Square: The Endearing Power of the Granny Square | Ep.4

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

The Granny Square is more than just a crochet motif—it’s a cultural icon. In this episode of Exploration Crochet, ReRe takes us on a journey through the history, evolution, and surprising staying power of the Granny Square. This humble motif has proven itself timeless-- reinvented across decades of fashion, home decor, and fiber art. From its early appearances in Victorian pattern books to its explosion on the runways of the 1960s and 70s, the Granny Square has always found a way to stay fresh.

We’ll explore its global revival fueled by the internet, its modern transformations into 3D flowers and daring festival wear, and even the darker side of machine-made imitations and underpaid labor. Along the way, we’ll imagine a “what if”: how much money Granny could have made if the motif had been copyrighted.

Ultimately, the Granny Square isn’t just a pattern—it’s a shared cultural treasure, reminding us all that, L-7 aside, it’s hip to be square.

Sound Attributions:

double bass happy hillbilly blues by elzozo – https://freesound.org/s/613388/-- License: Creative Commons 0

loopable excerpt#2 of szegvari's freesound 667103.flac by Timbre --https://freesound.org/s/667183/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Abstract Pop Electronica (loop ver.1) by AudioCoffee https://freesound.org/s/745334/ --License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

https://dovas.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

The Codex of Hookspeak: Crochet's Secret Language | Ep. 3

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to The Codex of HOOKSPEAK: Crochet's Secret Language

In this episode, ReRe opens the great folklore glossary of crochet—a living lexicon stitched together by humor, frustration, triumph, and mischief. We’ll travel from WIPs to TOADs, face the peril of yarn chicken, and meet the heroes and tricksters who embody these tales: Knights sworn to single quests, Bards who sing stitch by stitch, Dragons hoarding glittering stashes, and Tricksters who yarn-bomb the village square. This is more than slang—it’s myth-making, a language born from circles of friends and amplified by guilds, forums, and hashtags across the world. Crochet’s lexicon is alive, shifting like folklore, growing with every laugh, sigh, and whispered phrase. And the best part? You, too, are part of this saga.

SOUND ATTRIBUTIONS:

Viking/Medieval Theme by M-Murray --https://freesound.org/s/723202/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Viking/Medieval Theme (Instrumental Version) by M-Murray --https://freesound.org/s/723857/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Uplifting adventure music by humanoide9000 --https://freesound.org/s/568867/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

Math You Can Snuggle: The Reality of Crochet | Ep. 2

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Exploration Crochet, host ReRe takes listeners on a fun and surprising journey into the hidden world of math woven through every stitch of crochet. From the geometry of flat circles and ruffles, to Fibonacci spirals, symmetry, fractals, and even hyperbolic planes, discover how crochet patterns are living algorithms and wearable math.

Whether you’re a yarn enthusiast, a math nerd, or just curious, you’ll see how numbers and stitches team up to create beauty, rhythm, and cozy comfort you can wrap around your shoulders.

Crafters Autonomous | The Math Behind a Crochet Circle & Why It Matters

Virtual Math Museum | Sierpinski Triangle

Math Department | University of Wisconsin - Madison |Hyperbolic Modeling

The Exploration Crochet podcast is part of the Yarn Over Hook Network.

Why Crochet? Finding Joy, Creativity, and Community | Exploration Crochet Ep. 1

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 12:30:00 -0500

Join ReRe in Episode 1 of Exploration Crochet as she asks “Why crochet?” and uncovers the joy, creativity, and community behind the craft.

In this very first episode of Exploration Crochet, host ReRe shares her personal journey with crochet and explores the deeper question: Why crochet? From sparking creativity to building community, crochet is more than just yarn and stitches... It’s a way of life.

Whether you are just picking up your first hook or have been crocheting for years, this episode will remind you why we keep coming back to the craft we love.

The Exploration Crochet podcast is part of the Yarn Over Hook Network.